Violin bow



June 19, 1928. r 1,673,996

' V. RATHSACH VIOLIN BOW Filed March 23, 1926 y MVAZ/ J HaZ/Zsad AZ'Z'orney Patented June 19, 1928.

UNITED STATES VITUS RATHSACH, OF COPENHAGEN, DENMARK.

VIOLIN BOW.

Application filed March 23, 1926, Serial No. 96,790, and in Germany March 21, 1925.

The present invention relates to bows for violins and other stringed instruments of like character.

One drawback in ordinary violin bows is that the pressure of the bow against the strings must be effected by the fingers of the right hand being pressed firmly against the sides of the frog of the bow, the said pressure being then effected by tension of the muscles of the wrist. This fact causes the playing to have a very tiring effect on the player.

The object of the invention is to form the frog of the bow in such a manner that durr playing the bow will naturally beheld in proper position relatively to the strings that the player may perform all fingering with perfect accuracy without any exertion at all of the muscles of the right hand.

According to the invention the frog of the violin bow is fitted with recesses and projections for the fingers of the right hand, in such a manner that the how will rest firmly in the hand without requiring a pressure of the fingers against the sides of the frog.

The invention will be understood readily from the following description, and is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Figures 1 and 2 are, respectively, a side view and a plan view of the end of a violin how and a frog attached thereto;

Fig. 3 is a side view with the parts reversed with respect to Fig. 1;

Figs. 4 and 5 are two perspective views, showing how to grip the bow.

31 is a bow rod which in known manner, by means of a screw 32, is fitted with a frog 33, which is adapted to be moved along the rod of the bow, and to which the bow hairs 34 are attached. The distinguishing feature of the said frog 33 is that, on the side against which the thumb rests, it is fitted with a recess 35 adapted to hold the tip of the thumb and shaped to fit the same, while on the op posite side the frog is fitted with an obliquely disposed lug 36 serving to support the index finger and third finger. In accordance with the natural position of the index finger relatively to thebow, when the latter is gripped by the right hand, the said lug 36 must be placed obliquely in relation to the longitudinal direction of the how and, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, curved shape.

The dimensions, location and position of the recess 35 and the lug 36 must be selected in such a manner that the how will fit the hand, when the latter assumes its natural resting position, with the fingers slightly curved and with the thumb opposite the forefinger (see Figs. 4 and 5). By means of a light pressure of the finger against the frog, a steady and reliable grip of the how will be attained,whereby the position of the bow in the hand becomes uniform and permanent during the play.

Besides the thus attained immediate advantage, the further advantage is gained that the arm is relieved from the muscular exertions required in the case of the heretofore used bows and which are very wearing, because the bow will have a tendency to rest on the strings solely by the weight of the arm. Hence the requirement for a uniform stroke will be complied with during forte as well as piano-playing, and itbecomes practicable to produce the fundamental tone of the string instead of a sound varying, as in case of the heretofore known bows, from the full fundamental tone of the string to a quite colourless surface tone.

Instead of one single lug 36 for two of the fingers there may be provided two or more lugs to support more of the fingers of the right hand.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is 1. A frog for violin bows, having a recess formed in it on the thumb side to receive the tip of the thumb, and having on the opposite side alug to fix the position of the index and third fingers of the players right hand on the frog.

2. A frog for violin bows, having a recess formed in it on the thumb side to receive the tip of the thumb, and having on the opposite side a lug disposed obliquely in relation to the longitudinal direction of the bow and serving to support a number of the fingers of of the players hand resting against that side of the frog.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

VITUS RATHSACH.

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